“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for an amazing pair of skis! They are absolutely fantastic, they’re fast, responsive and the stiffness is spot on. It’s a terrible snow year at Ruapehu but I’m having some of the best skiing I’ve ever had thanks to the skis. I know where I’ll be shopping for my next set too.”

Hamish on ARCHETYPE

“Absolute bomber construction, impeccable finish, sweet riding skis.”

acpowman in TGR forum post

“I’ve been skiing on your skis for the last month and have been loving them. We’ve both decided that they’re the best work skis (and all around for me) that we could have. Good sidecut for turns on the groomers and plenty fat for the powder.”

Irene, ARCHETYPE, USA

I have been meaning to let you know just how brilliant my SMBs were in Japan in March and to thank you and Alex for (quite frankly) the best skis I’ve ever used. They handled the piste just fine and were superb in the powder.

Toby on SMB, Japan

“I thought I would really only use my Archetypes on those rare powder days at Mount Hutt or in the spring on soft or slushy snow. Despite this I took them to with me on our July school holiday trip to Coronet Peak and after a day on my old narrow carving skis I thought I’d see how they would go on the hard packed artificial snow. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed them so much I spent the remaining six days on them. Put them on edge and they will carve in hard pack and flex nicely in the turn so that sharper carving turns are possible. In the softer, fresher snow they are more fun than conventional carving skis as they surf over the top rather than sinking and slowing down into the softer snow. I also love the look of the Klaus Kramer limited edition top sheet. It makes my Archetypes a unique and beautiful pair of skis. Now that I know they ski well on piste and how much fun they are in the softer snow, I don’t think I’ll go back to my narrow, conventional carving skis again this season. Thanks for making such a satisfying and enjoyable pair of skis. My 14 year old daughter loves her 166cm skinny Kingswoods and my 8 year old daughter also loves her 130cm Takka skis with the robot design.”

David on ARCHETYPE

“These skis are wonderful. I love every single thing about them… after a few inches of new the Skinnies floated effortlessly. On fast groomers I could virtually lay my hip down and still feel very secure in the turn. I think these skis are now the most beautiful piece of equipment I own… they are now resting very nicely in a prominent corner of my home office. I stare at them for long periods. We are developing quite a love affair.”

Patrick, USA

“Just had another epic overseas trip with the Kingswoods, this time to Japan, Hokkaido. The Kingswoods are in their element. Great conversation starter with fellow kiwis. So chur for bringing such sick ski`s to this world.”

Simon, Japan

“As I shuffled through town to the supermarket via the wine shop there were numerous positive comments. One local powderhead even volunteered (approvingly) info on their pedigree, tips on how to ski them, and even tips on care!”

Mark on SMB

“I love the flex, the skis are very snappy especially for the tails. I rallied every type of terrain/snow/park. Work great in powder, land switch nicely on the tables in the park, they feel very light.”

Casey, ,

“Alex, you’re a master. My SMBs are magic. I’ve had them for two weeks in Hakuba with everything from boot to chest deep and they absolutely rip. Groomers are super smooth for a fat ski and all in all you have a very happy customer. Many thanks and congratulations on an amazing product.”

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CRISP AIR. WHITENESS. GRAVITY.

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Skiing should be simple.

At least in that moment when it all comes together and you are floating effortlessly through fresh snow. This is the moment that we seek out. This is the moment we build skis for. We worry about camber and sidecuts and 1 degree edge bevels so that you don’t have to. We build each pair just for you, based on who you are and how you ski.

Your job is to go skiing.

MEET

YOUR

MAKER.

The Kingswood Story.

Alex Herbert started Kingswood Skis after years at the repair bench. It was the late 90s. Fat skis were scarce. And Alex was disappointed by existing ski construction. Eventually, he took matters into his own hands. The first step was to take his favourite (and only) pair of skis and cut them into 86 pieces. He was committed.

The first press was made from two pieces of rolled steel sandwiched together with car jacks. Though the start was rough, the aim has always been to make the best skis possible. The hard part wasn’t making a ski… it was making a great ski. That took three more years.

The search for perfection continues. New shapes are constantly added and old ones tweaked. The process is continually improved.

Alex still makes each pair himself and runs the business with his wife Kris. “We have no aspirations to be giant – just to be great,” Alex says.

ARE HAND

MADE

SKIS

BETTER?

Not always. But in this case, yes.

What makes Kingswood great? It’s personal.

Each pair of Kingswood Skis is made by the company founder just for you. Alex is not an engineer. He’s terrible with numbers. And slightly dyslexic. But he has a sixth sense for ski design – there’s no other way to explain it. Alex is a craftsman. He refuses to compromise on materials, and he’s always looking for a way to make better skis. This is what makes Kingswood great.

It’s been just over 12 years since the first Kingswood prototype was cracked from the mould. We’ve come a long way in that time, but some things haven’t changed a bit. We still choose only the best materials for our skis. We still champion simple, solid construction. And we still love watching each pair take shape and be passed into the hands of their new owners.

The SMBs are (quite frankly) the best skis I’ve ever used. They handled the piste just fine and were superb in the powder.

Toby, on SMB

The ski for the day is the Kingswood SMB – oh wait, that’s the ski for every day.

Broken River Snow Report, on SMB

I took my SMB’s to Cragieburn today and was so blown away by them. Keep doing what you’re doing. Kingswood rocks.

Dylan, on SMB

As I shuffled through town to the supermarket via the wine shop there were numerous positive comments. One local powderhead even volunteered (approvingly) info on their pedigree!

Mark, on SMB

It’s a terrible snow year at Ruapehu but I’m having some of the best skiing I’ve ever had thanks to the skis.

Hamish, on Archetype

Let me say how blown away I was with the mega fats. So easy to blow over all the brush sticking out and super easy to turn in the tight stuff. Super impressed with how they handled the hard pack too.

Rene, on Megafat, Japan

Just had another epic overseas trip with the Kingswoods, this time to Japan, Hokkaido. The Kingswoods are in their element. Great conversation starter with fellow Kiwis. So chur for bringing such sick ski`s to this world.

Simon, Japan

To say it simply: Absolutely the best we ever had on our feet!!! I never thought that I could make turns like the ones I did in deep powder! Forget all the skis from Bogner, ZAI, ATOMIC and other “exclusive” brands. KINGSWOOD SKIS are made for real skiers!

Fritz, on Skinny

Stoked with the performance – cut through the heavy stuff with no problem and still nice and responsive when the terrain gets tight.

Mark,

I think these skis are now the most beautiful piece of equipment I own… they are now resting very nicely in a prominent corner of my home office. I stare at them for long periods. We are developing quite a love affair.

Patrick, USA

They’re fast, responsive and the stiffness is spot on.

Hamish, on Archetype

The mega fat is such a good ski it’s humbling. Exceptional in the pow, even better when it’s variable snow and they carve well enough on piste to rail high speed GS turns. They are my most prized possession.

Sam, on Megafat, Japan

These skis are wonderful. I love every single thing about them…

Patrick, USA

Now that I know they ski well on piste and how much fun they are in the softer snow, I don’t think I’ll go back to my narrow, conventional carving skis again this season. Thanks for making such a satisfying and enjoyable pair of skis.

David, on Archetype

It’s stiff enough to hold its own on the groomed or packed stuff, but where it showed me the most love was in the steep soft stuff, it skied super stable, but when I wanted to scrub speed or throw it round a bit, it let me be in control. I have never seen this in a ski before, normally I find them stiff and unforgiving, or soft and floppy in the steeps, but the Kingswood has the best of both.

Jake, on Megafat

In short, they are awesome. I have never been more confident in untouched snow, and am amazed at the variety of turn shapes the skis can hold in those conditions. I love the stiff feel and pop that the skis have when you want to throw them around.

Evan, USA

I thought I would really only use my Archetypes on those rare powder days. Despite this I thought I’d see how they would go on the hard packed artificial snow. I enjoyed them so much I spent the remaining six days on them.

David, on Archetype

The nimbleness for a fat ski was a real surprise. Rebound was good making it a lively ski for this width. The Kingswood for me was instant liking. Turned well in the chutes and certainly stable at speed. It gripped surprisingly well for its width.

Frosty, NZ

Put them on edge and they will carve in hard pack and flex nicely in the turn so that sharper carving turns are possible. In the softer, fresher snow they are more fun than conventional carving skis as they surf over the top rather than sinking and slowing down into the softer snow.

David, on Archetype

Absolute bomber construction, impeccable finish, sweet riding skis.

acpowman, TGR forum post

I wish I had these things years ago. We had a pretty low snow pack for Japan but the skis made it so easy to blow over all the brush sticking out and super easy to turn in the tight stuff.

Rene, on Megafat, Japan

I’ve skied most of his skis since the early days of production and I can honestly say they are some of the best skis on the market.

skier666, TGR forum post

If you’re looking for a solid, stable soft-snow ski that is strong on edge, planes well, and is easy to pivot, then I would be shocked if you are disappointed in the SMB.

Blister Gear Review, on SMB

I fell in love with you in New Zealand last year. I have been dreaming about the moment we are re-united once more (even though we have never truly met) and I can propose. I promise to be nice, yet push you down large cliffs, sweet, yet abuse you vertically (and occasionally horizontally…). Come here Rocketype, let me touch you. Just don’t tell my wife.

Anon, on Rocketype

I spent the weekend in Fernie BC with some friends, and we went cat skiing. My skis were awesome! I have a pair of your Rocketype’s, and I was blown away. I’m looking forward to another set – I love good quality. Keep up the awesome work!